Springs Brings Passport Services Closer To Residents

July 22, 1998|By KATHY BUSHOUSE Staff Writer

CORAL SPRINGS — The city is getting into the passport business.

Starting in mid-August, the Coral Springs City Hall and City Hall in the Mall both will offer passport services, giving people in north Broward County the opportunity to obtain new passports without traveling south.

``We think this will be a good move,'' said Joyce Campos, the city's community services director. ``It's going to be a good service. We're always looking for new services to make things more convenient.''

The service also will mean money for the city. For every passport processed, the city gets $15, Campos said.

``It's a win-win situation for everyone,'' Campos said.

Both locations _ at City Hall, 9551 W. Sample Road, and at City Hall in the Mall at the Coral Square Mall _ should be open by Aug. 17. The City Hall location will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The City Hall in the Mall location will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Passport applicants need to bring proof of citizenship, photo identification, two passport photos and a check or money order. Passports cost $60 for first-time adult applicants and $40 for children younger than 16. Renewal applications also are available.

The mall location in Coral Springs will be the only one in Broward County open on Saturday, said Nellie Bacon, customer service manager for the Miami Passport Agency.

``It's going to be an interesting concept,'' Bacon said. ``I think it's going to be really neat that people can go to a mall and apply for a passport, and I think it's great that they're going to be open on Saturdays.''